Free A Conspiracy of Alchemists: Book One in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow by Liesel Schwarz

the model of poised sensibility, she squared her shoulders as she strode downstairs. This time she was not going to let Marsh get under her skin like he had in the Superintendent’s offices at the airfield.
    Marsh and Patrice were in the dining room. Mrs. Hinges had set the table on damask and was busy pouring tea into the good teacups.
    “Ah, the aviatrix transforms into an elegant lady,” Patrice said with some appreciation as he and Marsh rose from the table.
    “Please sit.” She waved them down. “Mrs. Hinges, may I see you for a moment?”
    “Of course, dear.”
    Elle followed the housekeeper through to the kitchen. “What are you doing?” she asked the moment she closed the door behind them.
    “Why, I was busy pouring tea for his lordship before you dragged me away.” Mrs. Hinges set the teapot down on the kitchen table. “I’ve been saving a bit of ham for your father’s tea, but it seems like he’s not going to be needing it for the minute, so I thought I would let his lordship have it with a fried egg.”
    “Mrs. Hinges, you must tell me everything about my father’s disappearance. I need to know what happened.” Elle glanced over her shoulder at the closed door that led to the dining room. “I’ve had nothing but trouble since I met Mr. Marsh. And he may have dragged Patrice into this mess too. I don’t want them to get too comfortable. Not until I know who is behind all this.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t have thought it was as bad as that, dear. I’ve read about Lord Greychester in the society pages” She tapped the side of her nose. “They say his family is descended from old money. They say he has a touch of the old blood in him. Very well known in Shadow circles.”
    “I don’t care how much money he has. Shadow or not, the man is nothing but trouble.”
    Mrs. Hinges pressed her lips together in a firm line. “I think we are very lucky to have his lordship here to help us. You should be grateful that he is taking an interest in you. You won’t see many gentlemen of his caliber about these days. Especially not ones willing to help silly girls out of a pickle.” From the drying rack, she picked up the frying pan that had so recently made its acquaintance with the side of Patrice’s head and placed it on the stove. The fact that Elle had chosen a life of flying over the respectability of a good husband and children was a tender issue with the housekeeper.
    “Please, Mrs. Hinges, don’t be like that,” Elle pleaded.
    Mrs. Hinges looked at her sharply. “Your father hired me all those years ago to help him raise you after your mother died. I have known you all your life and I know what silly thoughts you have in that head of yours sometimes.” She waived the egg lifter at her. “The thought of someone like his lordship involved in a despicable crime like your father’s disappearance is just about one of the silliest ideas you’ve ever had. For every finger pointed forward there are usually three fingers pointed back.” The older woman let the accusation hang in the air between them.
    “So what you’re saying is that this is all my fault?”
    Mrs. Hinges tutted and broke an egg into the pan. It crackled and sizzled as it hit the hot fat. “I’m saying nothing of the sort. And don’t you go thinking that either. But there is nothing wrong with accepting a helping hand offered in friendship. You would do well to remember that instead of pointing a finger at anyone.”
    “Let’s send a telegram to Uncle Geoffrey. He’ll know what to do.”
    “You know how things are between them. If there is anyone powerful and influential enough to find your father quickly, then it is his lordship. Now go and sit down at the table and mind your manners.”
    Elle sighed and went to the dining room.
    Marsh and Patrice were busy helping themselves to a stack of freshly buttered toast from the bread-toaster apparatus perched on the sideboard. The toast-maker was a metal box fashioned in the shape of